Wake Forest University and Arts Council Collaborate on Lifelong Learning Program

First sessions in June and July

"Wake Forest University and The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County are announcing a new Lifelong Learning program that offers an opportunity for adults to return to the classroom and explore topics of personal and global relevance.

A launch celebration will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 1, in the Mountcastle Forum of the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts to introduce the community to Lifelong Learning.

“Wake Forest has long been interested in creating accessible programming for what has become a fast-growing and vibrant segment of our community,” said Anthony Parent, professor of History and director of the Lifelong Learning Program. “We are very excited to collaborate with The Arts Council, and our faculty are eager to enrich and be enriched by our local community.”

During the event, faculty will give mini-lectures highlighting classes offered this summer. In addition to learning more about the courses offered, attendees can share their interests and ideas for future topics.

Adults who register for the Lifelong Learning program can choose from among five classes taught by Wake Forest faculty. The inaugural courses, to be offered in June and July, will cover literature and vulnerability, digital technology, great composers, deductive reasoning and the history of Jerusalem. Students will meet once a week for five weeks. Courses are $125 per student.

Lifelong Learning is modeled after similar successful programs at universities such as Duke, UNCG and UNCA, which share a common goal of helping adults thrive in the second half of their lives.

“We are looking at quality of life for older citizens, and we want this collaboration to be one more strong reason for retirees to choose our area,” said Jim Sparrow, President and CEO of The Arts Council. “We know that people are happier and healthier when they are both mentally and physically active. We have a strong arts community and tremendous resources in our colleges and universities in Winston-Salem. This is an effort to use some of those resources for the wellbeing of our seniors.”

The Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts is located at 251 North Spruce Street in downtown Winston-Salem.